Venue: Paper Mill Lock (CM3 4BS / w3w.co/encoded.narrating.switched)
Arrive: c.5pm (gates close at 5.15pm!)
Launch: after 5.20pm briefing
Finish: c.7.10pm
Level: confident, capable river paddlers

Impossible lunchtime tides mean we’re back ‘home’ to the Willow Set at Paper Mill for SUP Club this week. With barely any breeze we’re anticipating a gentle night, but we’re having to get crazy early to work around the 18:19 sunset – and while we’re not planning to paddle in the dark, as that’s not OK with IWA Essex, we will be getting back during dusk / twilight so it’s not actually dark dark. Navigation lights aren’t compulsory, but particularly if it’s cloudy you might like to bring them so we can see where everyone’s at (not for illumination, so absolutely no bright whites or there’ll be trouble!)

All confident, competent river paddlers welcome (ie; anyone who can stand-up paddle strong a couple of locks out and back without stopping, and is happy in the cold and dark). But please, if you’re not yet paddling strong – and confidently steering, stopping and turning – a busy group at SUP Club isn’t the place to learn these essential skills: we offer lessons for that. And as always, please ensure you are licensed to paddle the river (renewals via www.waterways.org.uk)

The Willow Set are again kindly allowing us in after hours and post-season, charging £3 from 5pm (4.45pm at the absolute earliest, when the gates are planned to open) when you use the password ‘SUPsect’ or flash our logo at the gate. Please don’t be late as the gates are going to lock at 5.15pm. So, setting up c.5pm at Paper Mill Lock then it’s a quick turnaround to gather at our ‘training zone’ by the entrance for a 5.20pm briefing ahead of launch. We’ll almost certainly be heading west tonight – up to Stonham’s Lock, via Mill House and back.

As ever, please ensure you are licensed to paddle the river (renewals via www.waterways.org.uk). Everyone licensed, with their own kit (including leash) who can paddle confidently is very welcome… But please, if you’re not yet competently steering, stopping and turning, a busy group at SUP Club isn’t the place to learn these essential skills – we offer lessons for that!

After, we’ll be going for dinner and drinks as usual – numbers via a show of hands at the briefing.